Love Me Love My Dog

Chapter 1

The ocean angrily crashed, sending a spray of white, cool, salty water hissing over the hot, craggy rocks as its master retreated back to its lair. A 'trudge, trudge, trudge' of quick footsteps could be heard as a highly trained investigator examined the residue of flotsam and jetsam left by Neptune and his helpers. Every rock-pool, every piece of seaweed was attended to before the next wave of sea water intruded on the peaceful scene.

"Jess! Come on sweetheart!" Joey called to her five year old English Springer Spaniel dog as she pried into every dripping crevice with an eager, wet nose.

Joey whistled and Jessie's head was up in a trice.

"Come on, girl!" Joey laughed at the excitable dog's expression.

Jessie bounded over to Joey; deliberately rubbing along Joey's bare legs and making them wet with her soaking coat.

"Oh Jess!" Joey cried in annoyance.

Jessie barked as if laughing; and scampered off back towards the rocks again. Joey grinned and looked up into the bright, blue sky; enjoying the early morning peace of a stroll along the deserted beach. She glanced at her watch; it was time she made her way back home. She whistled again for Jessie, but the gun dog had other interests and was perusing them with vigour.

"Jess! Jess! Jess!" Joey called out, but this time, Jessie didn't come running. "Oh, for heaven's sake!" Joey sighed and turned around to head back to the rocks.

Jessie sniffed and pawed; giving a little whimper every now and again between her snuffling.

"Jessie! Come on sweetie." Joey encouraged as she spotted the liver and white, long-coated dog.

Jessie gave Joey a quick look; her long, un-docked, feathery tail wagged enthusiastically.

"Come on mate, I'll be late for work!" Joey moaned.

Jessie continued her quest; digging and sniffing. Joey sighed and climbed over one or two of the smaller boulders. Another wave of salty water sprayed the rocks; Joey could taste the salt residue on her lips. Jessie looked up and barked; her whole body moving from side to side in time with her relentless tail.

"What ya got, girl?" Joey asked curiously.

Jessie barked again, dug once more with her paws and took one or two steps backwards; looking at her mistress expectantly. Joey jumped off the last rock standing between her and her dog. She gasped and her large, brown eyes opened wide in shock as they met those of a young woman; her body stripped virtually naked by the rough ocean and obviously, quite dead. Joey put her hand to her mouth and Jessie barked again.

Joey swallowed, anxiously.

"It's okay, girl. Well done. Come over here darling!" She called, encouraging Jessie away from the corpse.

Joey took out her mobile phone and pressed a few buttons.

"I-I'd like to report a body; a dead body."

***

Three Police Officers jumped out of a vehicle; their heavy boots crunching on the already warm sand. In front, was a male officer of about thirty, wearing dark blue Water Police attire; good looking and confident. He was quickly followed by two female Police officers; one a Constable, the other a Senior Constable. They followed the first officer as he hastened along towards the rocks.

"He's always got to get there first, just coz he's Water Police!" The constable complained to her senior.

The senior glanced anxiously at her colleague; hoping this wasn't going to be the start of another of those long-winded arguments between the two constables. She was in the awkward position of being romantically involved with one and very good friends with the other.

"Don't start, Georgie! You know it's his prerogative to have the first bite of the cherry when it comes to ocean based stuff."

"Yeah, I know! But he's got that 'know-it-all' look on his face again, which I hate, like when he gets that 'this is so my baby and no one else can touch it' attitude about him!" Watson said with venom. "Sorry Charlie. I know it's difficult for you."

"Yeah, and when you two start like this, it makes it really, really difficult! I know he can be irritating when he gets a case, but it's not that often."

"Yeah, but does he have to be so bloody smug about it? That little wart on his nose starts to twitch manically and then he's away!"

Charlie closed her eyes and sighed. She was more than aware of Constable Angelo Rosetta's short comings as a Police Officer, but she was fond of him as a person; he could be kind and considerate, though at times a little dictatorial, but on the whole, their relationship was alright.

"Okay, point taken. Look! There's a girl waving over on the other side of the rocks." The senior constable noted.

***

Constable Rosetta acknowledged the young woman who waved him down. He took in her good figure and pretty looks and smiled accordingly.

"G'day. Are you the young lady who reported finding a body?" He asked, eyeing the young woman's dog suspiciously.

"Yes. It's over there." Joey said, pointing in the direction of the rocks.

Gruuuurrrr...

"That's enough, Jess!" Joey warned, glancing down at the dog lying at her feet, as she growled at the Police Officer.

Angelo looked alarmed as Jessie stood up and glared at him; giving another low growl.

"Keep that animal back!" Rosetta ordered, agitatedly.

"She won't hurt you." Joey smiled, holding onto the lead.

"I don't care! Just keep hold of it!"

"What's the problem?" Senior Constable Charlie Buckton asked as she and Constable Watson came along side.

"Sorry, your colleague is frightened of my dog." Joey said with an apologetic smile.

Watson smirked, looking down at the dog's soulful eyes as it stood wagging its tail; its tongue lolling from the side of its mouth.

"Yeah, it's a really scary dog!" Watson said with a grin. "G'day girl." She said stooping to pet the dog.

"She likes fuss." Joey said proudly.

"Are we gonna look at this body or what?" Rosetta called impatiently.

Watson sighed and glanced at Charlie who watched as Angelo started to climb over the rocks.

"Excuse us." The senior officer said, glancing at Joey.

Jessie wagged her tail enthusiastically at the Police Officer as she passed by, but Charlie paid no attention. Jessie whimpered; her eyes following the officer.

***

"So, what have we got?" Charlie asked joining Angelo as he bent over the body.

"Female, about twenty five; no obvious signs of death from what I can see." He said glancing up at Charlie.

"Okay, well, we'd better get this area cordoned off and get the forensic guys in."

"Yeah, okay Charlie!" Angelo snapped back; obviously irritated by Charlie's rank.

"I was only..."

"I do know what to do!"

"I wasn't saying you didn't; I was just..."

"Rosetta here. Get the forensics down here at Bay Rocks. We have a female, white, mid twenties; washed up, by all accounts."

Charlie frowned and looked back to where Watson and the young woman stood talking. Why did Angelo always have to be so difficult over work related issues? He took every little remark as personal criticism and rarely followed Charlie's instructions without arguing over the smallest detail first. To say the least, he made her job a degree less enjoyable and a lot more difficult than necessary. Charlie had dated Angelo for two years. In this time, she had become fond of the fellow; he was funny, romantic and very good looking; everything a girl could ask for, except Charlie wasn't really sure if this was enough anymore. Something was lacking; had always been lacking, but she couldn't put her finger on it. So, for twenty four months, she had tagged along by way of something to do but receiving little personal gratification from the relationship.

Joey, who was patting her dog, looked up catching the Senior Constable's eye and smiled. Charlie returned the smile, but with little warmth; her mind plagued by personal doubts.

***

Watson took details from Joey; inviting her to visit the Police station to give a witness statement within a couple of days then, threw handfuls of sand for Jessie to 'fetch'; very much amused by the pretty dogs antics.

"She's a lovely dog!" Watson said, as she watched Jessie scampering over the golden sands for another sand-ball.

"Yeah! She's awesome. I better get her back on the lead; your colleague's coming back; he doesn't look very happy." Joey said, eyeing Rosetta.

Joey took hold of Jessie's collar and attached the chain-link lead to it; holding Jessie firmly, lest she alarmed the bad tempered Policeman again. Angelo gave the dog a wide birth and flipped open his phone; missing the growl and curled lip threat from the dog. Watson smirked, giving Jessie another pat.

Charlie joined Watson and Joey and smiled as Jessie wagged her tail enthusiastically for her pleasure. Charlie pursed her lips and squeaked at the dog and Jessie quietly woofed; gently jumping up, and placing her paws on Charlie's waist; her tongue licking her hands softly.

"She seems to like you." Joey said, smiling at the hound.

Charlie smiled down at the dog and ruffled her long, curly ears.

"Come on girl; down!" Joey commanded.

Jessie obediently jumped down, but continued to stare adoringly at Charlie.

***

Angelo finished his phone call and walked back towards Charlie. Jessie took her eyes from Charlie and watched the male officer with suspicion. She growled low making Angelo jump.

"I thought I told you to keep that bloody dog out of my way!" Rosetta cried angrily.

"Oh grow up, Angelo!" Watson muttered, under her breath.

Charlie glanced at Joey and smiled apologetically; their eyes retaining contact for a few moments.

"Come on girl; let's you get out of here." Joey said to her dog.

"I'd be obliged if you will come along to the Police Station to make a witness statement regarding the discovery of this body." Angelo said, officiously.

"I've already asked Miss. Collins to do that." Watson pointed out.

"Okay, but don't bring that stinking mutt with you!" Angelo said aggressively.

Joey opened her mouth to object but Charlie, sensing a scene brewing, took hold of Angelo's arm; pulling him away from Joey and her dog, and glaring at him.

"Sorry about that." Watson said with concern.

"What's his problem?" Joey asked.

"He's jealous of your dog; she's getting far more attention than he is! Typical man!" Watson said watching Angelo as he protested angrily to Charlie.

Joey laughed.

"Well, I'd best be going. Will pop by and give that statement either tomorrow afternoon or the day after." Joey said, beginning to walk away.

"Thanks for your help, Miss. Collins." Watson said with a smile.

"Joey, please."

"Well, thanks 'Joey'. Look forward to seeing you soon." Watson said with a smile; admiring both dog and owner.

Joey glanced at the Senior Constable and the lower ranking officer as they argued.

"Don't be an idiot!" Charlie hissed.

Joey raised her eyebrows and grinned, as Watson smirked.